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Committee hears testimony for bill limiting routine personal devices in K–8 classrooms; sponsor agrees to roll bill for further discussion
Summary
Representative Renault argued HB 2393 would limit daily personal-device use in K–8 instruction while permitting teacher-directed technology and exemptions; testimony from clinicians and researchers on attention and safety reinforced sponsor's case, but members raised concerns about local control, contract timelines, and district burdens, and the sponsor agreed to roll the bill for further work.
Representative Renault presented HB 2393, which would limit routine personal-device use for K–8 instruction while preserving teacher-directed technology and medical or special‑education exemptions.
The committee heard testimony from clinicians and researchers. Dr. Stacy Jagger, a licensed family therapist, said clinical work shows children struggle with attention, emotional regulation, sleep and social connection in ways she attributes in part to heavy screen reliance. "When children rely heavily on personal screens for learning, we unintentionally trade deep learning for rapid consumption," Jagger testified. Dr. Niddhi Gupta, a pediatrician and screen-time researcher, said large research reviews show limited academic benefit from many EdTech tools and raised data‑security and safety concerns: "There is clear evidence that most edtech tools are neither safe nor effective."
Members debated whether the bill should be local-control focused or state-directed, noted long vendor contracts in some districts, and raised the possibility of a task force or study. Sponsor Renault said the bill includes gradual timelines tied to vendor contract expirations and agreed to roll HB 2393 to the next available calendar so legislative leaders and key chairs could meet and seek compromises.
